Carpet-cleaning machine



July 1, 1930,

S. CHASE, 4TH, ET AL CARPET CLEANING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1925 Vand particularly to facilitate its handling, so

Cil

Patented July 1, 1930 Urrea siti-rifasV PATENT orFlcE- STEPHEN CHASE, 4TH, OF CHICAGO,^` AND BENJAMIN S. PFEIFFER, OF WINNETKA,

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS, BY DIRECT `AND.1VIESNE ASSIGNMENTS, COMPANY, OFCHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS TO CHASE MACHINE CARPET-CLEANING MACHINE Application sied March 2, 1925. serial No. 12,518.

This invention relates to apparatus forthe automatic cleaning and renovating of'fabrics such as carpets and rugs and relates tothe general type of such apparatus as is described in our co-pending application Serial No. 699,815 filed Marchlt, 1924. The present invention has to do particularly with the y means for conveying the strip of fabric to be cleaned,.such as a rug, through the machine in an outspread condition so as to present all portions of its surface to the action of suitable cleaning or scrubbing elements, such as brushes and, if desired, to` the action of means for drying the fabric after the cleaning operation@v r The general purpose of the present invention is the provision of improved apparatus for handling the fabric in such fashion as to feed it rapidly and positively, to keep it straightand flat, to guard it against injury,

that separate pieces,` such as a number of rugs may be fed through the machine in close succession.

Another object is to provide handling apparatus which facilitates the thorough and uniform cleaning, drying and finishing of all surface portions of the fabric, soas to eliminate the necessity for preliminary or subsequent hand treatment` of limited portions.

Still another purpose is to facilitate the insertion of the fabric into the machine and its removal therefrom. n

Other and further objects of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter, indicated in the appended claims or obvious kto one skilled in the art upon an understanding of the present disclosure. l

For the purpose of this vapplication we have elected to illustrate and describek herein one embodiment of the invention which is shown diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification. Itis to be understood, however, that the form ,thus disclosed is presented for the purpose of illustration only, andhence isnotv true and most comprehensive scope `in the art. y u l In the drawing: y F 1g. 1 1s a diagrammatic illustration in the nature of a part longitudinal sectional elevationl of apparatus embodying the invention.`

F 1g. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration in the nature of a transverse sectional elevation such as might be taken on substantially line 2-2 ofv Fig. 1. u

` Fig. 3 is a part top ork plan view of the` spreading clamp, showingr an end portion thereof1 and Fig. 1 is an end velevation of the same showing its application to a piece of fabric.

The nature of the invention will best be understood by an immediate consideration of the illustrative embodiment in detail. Let it be understood that the portions designated 10 are parts of the side frames ofthe machine which are spaced apart an appropriate distance to accommodate between them the rugs whichare to be cleaned, whenthe latter are out-spread to their full width. Mounted on these side frame members and extending longitudinally of the machine arethe angle bars 11 which form tracks for the conveyor chains. At the front or feed end of the machine a shaft 12 is rotatably mounted in the side frames and has the hanger arms 14 rigidly secured there- On these hanger arms is kjoiunaled a sprocket shaft 15 carrying to adjacent' the side frames.

the sprocket wheels 16 positioned one' over each of the tracks 11. A lever 17 is connected to the shaft 12 so that the lattermay be rotated to raise the sprocket wheels 16 out of their normal position.: At the rear end of the machine a shaft 18 is journaled in the side frames and is equipped with driving means whereby it maybe rotated. It carries the sprocket wheels 19, one disposed over each of the tracks` 11. An endless conveyor chain is arranged at each side of the machine in operative engagement with the sprocket wheels 16--19 in such fashion that the intermediate portions ofthe lower traverse of the chain rests on the associated track rail 11. Transverse frame members 21 form supports for a series of wires 22 which extend longitudinally through the machine at the level of the tracks on which the chains ride, which Ywires constitute av support for the sheetV of fabric in its progress through the machine. Above these wires is a flat, smooth retaining plate 24, properly retained in position, as by transverserods 25 so as to press a sheet of fabric upon the support wires 22 and hold it out-spread in flat condition. The retaining plate, is adapted to yield upwardly to accommodate passage of the fabric thereunder while at the same time imposing a suitable pressure upon it. Adjacent the rearward end o the machine are j ournaled feed rollers 26, which are driven, and adapted to engage lthe fabric effectively to feed it through the machine whenA it has been moved into engagementwith them. The lower feed roller preferably is iiexibly mounted so as to exert a yielding pressure toward the upper one. Below the support wires 22 is mounted a. soap roller 27 which is adapted to pick up the gelatinous soap solution from the tanll: 28y and apply it to the surface of a sheet of fabric transmitted over the roller on thev support wires'22. Behind the soap roller is operably mounted a scrubbing brush 29 arranged so that its bristles will contact the lower surface of the sheet of fabric transmitted over it and subject it to a scrubbing operation when the brush is actuated. Behind the brush 29 is mounted a wiper or `squeegee device 30 arranged for cooperation with the plate 24 to wipe and squeeze out of the fabric free liquid material. remaining after the scrubbing operation. Rearwardly of the cleaning apparatus is arranged a drying apparatus comprising a brush compartment 31 which houses a brush 32 disposed to contact the under surface of the fabric as the latter is transmitted over it and the support wires 22'. Conduits 34 extend transversely of the machine at opposite sides of the drying brush 32 and have communication with the brush compartment 31. Dry heated airis supplied to one of these conduits so as to be distributed in the brush compartment for impingement on the fabric thereabove and on the brush 32, while the other conduit is connected to eX- haust apparatus and has communication with the brush compartment 31 for the withdrawal of air therefrom. y

The rug handling means includes a spreading clamp, which is adapted to be connected to the. conveyor chains 2() and to the rugin such fashion as to hold the latter in fiat, outsjpread condition, this spreader clam-p is illusy tra'tedl iny Figs. 3 and 4. It includes a rigid flat bar member 36 of sufficient length to extend across the machine so that its ends will ride on the track rails 11. At these end portions it is equipped with upstanding lugs 37 so proportioned as to engage in the links of the conveyor chains to connect the clamp thereto for progressive movement therewith. Rigidly mounted in the bar 36 so as to extend from its rearward margin are narrow hook members 38 having up-turned hook ends. Hinged at the front margin of the bar 3G is a clamp plate 39 which extends past the rearward margin of the bar member and is shaped to provide the downwardly directed hooks 410 arranged I respectively in offset association with the wire hook members 38. Extending along the forward upper margin of the clamping plate 39 is a wiping strip 41 of thick, heavy fabric or rubber.

In the operation of the apparatus, the

spreading clamp is positioned at theV front of the machine and the clamping plate swung back so that the forward marginal portion of a rug, which is extended to its full width, may be engaged on the wire hook members 38 with the surface which is to be subjected tor the scrubbing operation presented downwardly.

The clamping plate 39 is then swung to the closed position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 so as to grip the marginal portion of the rug between the wire hooks 38 and the hook members 40. The hooks are not designed to pierce through the rug, but to pinch or clamp it so as to retain it securely. Consequently, due to the upfturned ends of the members 38, the shanks'of those members are prevented from binding closely against the under side of the rug. The lever 17 is then swung rearwardly so as to raise the'sprocket wheels 16 and the forward portions of the conveyor chains 20. The spreader clamp is then positioned under the conveyor `rchains with its ends resting on the track rails 11, and the sprocket wheels 16 lowered so that the lugs 37 will engage in links of the conveyor chains at both sides of the machine. The transmission of the conveyor chains by the rotation of the shaft 18 will then carry the clamp forwardly through the machine between the supporting wires 22 and the retaining plate 24 and move the rug progressivelyin outspread condition over the scrubbing and drying apparatus. As the rug is thus conveyed throughthe machine its under surface is held closely to the operation of the elements 27, 29, 30 and 32 by the pressure of the retaining plate 24, so that their operavmoves down an incline portion 11' of the track rails', so that the conveyor chains are withdrawn by sprocket 19 from engagement with the connecting lugs 37 of the clamp. The .feedingy rol1ers26 then having engagement with the rug,theycontinue to feed it progressively through the machine after the clamp has been' detached fromthe chain and from the forward marginv of the rug. As the rug issues from the machine it may be rolled up in condition for delivery.

Upon the disengagement of the clamp from the rug, it is inverted and laid upon the-upper traverse of the Conveyor chainswith its lugs engaged in linkslthereof, so that it will be course, there will be a: number of the spreader clampsin use,'so that as one or` more of them are in use for conveying rugs through the machine, others willbe in. course of return as described above. AIn this. fashion the operation of the machine is rendered continuous and the v rugs may be'fed through it in close succession.

The :function-of the wipingstrip 41 is to clear the retaining .plate 24of .any cleaning material which vmayhave beenl deposited on it by the soap roller or scrubbing brush during intervals whenno rug is overthem'or` when narrowrugsare being. run through. rIhis prevents the smearingof such material on the back of the rug. Incident .to the passage of the clamp through the drying apparatus the'moisture thus accumulated by the wiping strip is dried. Y In addition to providing a very'safe an very secure means for holding the rug oute ybination with a cleaning device, of a conveyor chain mounted for transmission past the cleaning device, a spreader clamp ar` spread during its passage through! the machine, a clamp of this construction is advantageous in that it exposes the entire un-.

der surface of the rug to the actionof the cleaning and drying apparatus. Inasmuch as the wire hook members 38 are very slender and are not tightly clamped against the fabric, due to their up-turned ends', they do not impede the scrubbingof thek fabric between them or the limited portions overlyingV them. It ywill be understood that `in order to permit the raising of the forward ends of the conveyor chains, the parts are so arranged that there is sufiicient slack in vthe upper traverses ofthe ychains toavoid binding.. It will be understood also that the rug handling mechanism is not limited to use of any particular form of cleaning or drying means and thata plurality of both cleaning and drying units may be included in asingle machine. l l v I claim:

l.; In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a support for a sheet of fabric, a conveyor chain arranged for movement along the same, a spreader clamp operable therebyto move a sheet of fabric progressively on said support in out-spread condition, means arranged below-the support for operation against the under surface of the fabric thereon, and a retaining plateco-i operating with the support to hold the fabric out-spread to the action of said means. p 2. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a support for a sheet of fabric, a conveyor movable along the same, a spreader clamp operable by the conveyor tomove a sheet of fabric progressively on the support in out-spread condition, 'a yielding retaining plate cooperating withthesupport to exert yielding pressure upon a sheet of fabric on the support and cleaning means operable upon the side of the fabric opposite the retaining plate.

3. In a fabric"cleaning machine, incom- .binatiom a vcleaning device, a conveyor arranged for `movement past the same, a spreader clamp operable by the conveyor to transmit a sheet of fabric progressively in contact with the cleaning device and a yielding plate positioned above the cleaning device to yieldingly hold the fabric in contact `with Vthe cleaning device.

4. In avfabric' cleaningmachine, Athe combination with a cleaning device, of a conveyor arrangedformovement past the same, a spreader clamp for attachment to a sheet of fabric to hold 'it in out-spread condition,

said conveyor yand the clamp having connectingportions adapted for cooperation, andra shifting device for moving the conveyor to vengage the connecting vportionsvof'the clamp to secure the latter for. transmission by the conveyor past thecleaning device.

5. In a fabric cleaning1nachine,-the comfor adjusting the conveyor chainto enga-ge i y said part for movement with the chain.

' 6; In-a `fabric cleaning machine, the combination Witha cleaning device, of tracks arranged at opposite sides thereof, conveyor chains arranged? for transmission along said tracks, a spreader clamp' arranged yfor support on the tracks and having parts for connection with a sheet of fabric, and means for connecting the clamp to the conveyor` Ychains for movement therewith past the cleaning device; i

7. In al fabric cleaning machine, in combination, acleaning device, `tracks extending along opposite sides thereof, conveyor chains arranged for transmission over said tracks,

connection to an out-spread sheet 4of fabric,

said clamp having parts engageable with said chains, and mea-ns for moving the chains into Vengagement with said parts.

8. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a cleaning device, a conveyor arranged for transmission past the same, a spreader clamp having connection with said conveyor, said clamp-being engageable with an'out--spread sheet of fabric to transmit the same past the cleaning device, a retaining plate arranged to hold the fabric to the operation of the cleaning device incident to its transmission past the same and a wiper carriedby the clamp for wiping the retaining plate.

9. In a 'fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a cleaning device, a conveyor arranged for transmission past the same, a spreader vclamp arranged for connection to an ont-spread sheet of fabric and to the conveyor, a track for holding the spreader clamp in engagement with the conveyor, and means for disengaging the clamp from the conveyor.

10. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a cleaning device, Va conveyor arranged for transmission past the same, a

spreader clamp engageable with the conveyor at the 'feed end of the machine, said clamp having parts for 'connection to'an out-spread sheet of fabric, and means at the discharge end of the machine for withdrawingthe con'- 11. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combina'tion, a cleaning device, a conveyor varranged for transmission past the same, 'a spreade'rclamp arranged for connection to the conveyor at the feed end of the machine, said clamp having parts for connection to an out-spread sheet of fabric, Vmeans for holding vthe clamp in engagement with the conveyor during its movement through the machine, and means for disengagi'ng conveyor at the discharge end of the machine incident to the movement of the conveyor.

12. In a fabric cleaning machine, in combination, a cleaning'device, a spreader clamp for connection to a sheet of fabric, feed rollers arranged at the discharge-end of the machine, and a conveyor engageable Vwith the clamp to transmit'itpas't 'the cleaning device and through the bite of the 'feed rollers,l said clamp beingdise'ngageable from the conveyor behindv the feed rollers.

13.- In a fabric cleaning machine, in comvevor from engagement with the clamp.

bination, a cleaning device, a conveyor ar-YA ranged. fortransmission past the same, va spreader clamp carried by the conveyor and having clasping portions for Vengaging the marginal portion of a sheet of fabric between them, the cla'sping portions on one the clamp and side comprising slender fingers having ends offset toward the other side for exerting clamping pressure on the fabric.

14. In a fabric cleaning machine, the combination with a cleaning device, of a spreader clamp arranged for connection to the marginal portion of a sheet of fabric, said clamp having slender engaging members over a surface of such marginal portion and means for transmitting the clamp past the cleaning device to present said surface portion of the fabric to the operation of the latter.

15. In a fabric cleaning machine, the combination with a cleaning brush, of a retaining plate for holding a fabric to the operation thereof, a clamp for engaging a sheet of fabric, said clamp havingrelatively. adjustable portions for .gripping the fabric and means for transmitting said clamp between the retaining plate and brush to move the fabric past the latter, said retaining plate cooperating with said relatively adjustable portions of the clamp to retain the fabric gripped therebetween. Y

16. In a fabric cleaning machine, the combination with a cleaning brush, of a clamp member having wire hook members projecting rearwardly therefrom, an adjustable vclamping plate on the clamp member and having rearwardly directed members adjacent the ywire hook members for gripping a fabric topresent the margin engaged by the vclamp to the action of the brush.

17. In a fabric cleaning machine, the combination with a cleaning brush, of a clamp comprising a bar member with wires extending from the rearward margin thereof, a clamping plate hinged on the bar member and having rearward Vprojections cooperating with the ends of the wires to grip the marginal portion of a rug between them, and means for transmitting the clamp past the brush with 4the wires next t-o the latter.

18. vIn a ruff cleaning machine, a clamp comprising a flat bar having wires presented rearwardly along one side thereofa clamping plate hinged to the bar and having rearward projections for cooperation with the wires, and means forv engaging the 'clamp with a transmitting member.

.19. In a rug cleaning machine, the combination with a cleaning device, of a clamp for engaging a rug, a conveyor for transmitting the clamp in either direction longitudinally of the machine, and means at the feed end of the machine for disengagin'g the clamp from the conveyor.

Q0. In a rug cleaning machine, the combination with a cleaning device, of conveyor chains arrangedv for movement longitudinally of the machine in lower and upper traverses, a clamp engageable with the chains in either traverse, and means at the feed end of the machine for disengaging the 'clamp from the chains.

21. In a fabric cleaning machine, the combination with a` scrubbing device, of a `clamp for engaging a sheet of fabric, means for transmitting the clamp past the scrubbing device, a plate for holding the fabric to the action of the vscrubbing device, and a wiping member on the clamp for wiping the plate.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names.

STEPHEN CHASE, IV. BENJAMIN S. PFEIFFER. 

